Community news: week of October 29, 2026
Short summaries of recent West Valley 55+ news. Each item shows when its source was published and links to it.
Sun City · Published: Oct. 28, 2026 print edition
Condominium Owners Association of Sun City will close at the end of 2026
The COA, a volunteer group that has helped Sun City condo associations with questions and information, says it will shut down permanently at year's end. Its president pointed to rising costs and a shortage of volunteers. Some condo board members say they'll miss it as a resource, and the Sun City Home Owners Association (which doesn't oversee condos) plans to discuss the gap. If you own or are buying a Sun City condo, your own association's board and management company remain the main contacts.
Sun City · Published: Oct. 28, 2026 print edition
North Golf Course reopens after a $2.7 million renovation
RCSC's North Golf Course is open again after closing in April. The work raised and softened the bunkers, swapped some turf for desert landscaping to meet state water rules, and added drought-tolerant TifTuf Bermuda to the back nine so all 18 holes now match. The pro shop was updated too. RCSC says the South Golf Course, its largest, is next, with work planned for 2028.
Sun City · Published: Oct. 28, 2026 print edition
Six candidates run for four RCSC board seats; forums Nov. 9 and 16
The candidates are Preston Kise, Edwin Nyberg, Scott Bortness, Susanne Clark, Mike Coppock and John Fast. Three seats are three-year terms and one is a two-year term, and a candidate needs at least 100 votes to win. Members can hear from them at the Sundial Auditorium on Monday, Nov. 9 (6–9 p.m.) and Monday, Nov. 16 (2–4 p.m.). New directors are sworn in Dec. 17.
Source: Sun City Independent, Oct. 28, 2026 print edition (PDF)
Sun City · Published: Oct. 28, 2026 print edition
Member motions: 13 proposals posted online, town hall Nov. 30
RCSC's new forum at motions.suncityaz.org lists 13 approved member motions. Members can comment with their name and member ID, and a change history shows any wording edits. RCSC also plans a town hall on the motions, Monday, Nov. 30, 3–9 p.m. (location to be announced). Voting runs Jan. 15–Feb. 26, 2027.
Source: Sun City Independent, Oct. 28, 2026 print edition (PDF)
Sun City · Published: Oct. 29, 2026
RCSC board approves first reading of 2027 budget, with a $740 assessment instead of $770
At its Oct. 29 meeting, the RCSC board approved the first reading of the 2027 budget. It proposes an annual assessment of $740 per property (up from $680 in 2026, and below the $770 first suggested). The Capital Improvement Fee buyers pay would rise from $1,500 to $2,000 and the renter privilege card from $340 to $450. The $4,000 Preservation & Improvement Fee and $500 transfer fee stay the same. The budget isn't final until the board's later vote, and the 2026 figures apply until 2027 rates take effect.
Source: RCSC Board of Directors meeting agenda, Oct. 29, 2026 (PDF)
Sun City West · Published: Oct. 28, 2026 print edition
Master plan unveiled: ideas range from patios to a $23.5 million fitness expansion
Consultant BerryDunn's 10-year master plan for the Rec Centers was shown to residents with concept renderings. Examples include a $1.5–$1.7 million Sports Pavilion patio, a $3.3–$3.5 million social hub patio and café, and fitness expansions from $5.5–$6 million (moderate) to $22.5–$23.5 million (large). Golf ideas include irrigation upgrades and turf reduction. The contract came in at $279,000, above the $250,000 budget. Some residents have asked how the plans could affect dues and the capital fee new buyers pay. RCSCW says projects would still go through yearly planning and budgeting.
Sun City West · Published: Oct. 28, 2026 print edition
Annual member satisfaction survey is out; due Dec. 16
RCSCW began emailing its yearly satisfaction survey around Oct. 26, from [email protected] via SurveyMonkey. Starting Monday, Nov. 2, links and QR codes will be shared online, and paper copies will be at each rec center, the library and Member Services. It takes about 25 minutes and is due by 3 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16.
Source: Sun City West Independent, Oct. 28, 2026 print edition (PDF)
Sun City West · Published: Oct. 28, 2026 print edition
Rec Center News switches to a monthly magazine with a digital edition
The Rec Center News is now a magazine-style monthly insert in the Sun City West Independent (last Wednesday of the month), with an interactive online version at suncitywest.com. It features a lead story, "need to know" items and all association events. Some residents miss the old club-by-club listings, and RCSCW is working on an online club calendar.
Source: Sun City West Independent, Oct. 28, 2026 print edition (PDF)
Sun City West · Published: October 2026 issue
Season sign-ups: craft vendors Nov. 2, Cabaret and Top Hat series in November
RCSCW's October Rec Center News lists vendor registration for the 2027 Artisan Faire & Feast opening at 8 a.m. Monday, Nov. 2 (suncitywest.com/craftfaire). 2027 Cabaret Series packages go on sale Nov. 10–23 ($60), with single tickets from Nov. 24 ($25). Top Hat Series packages are on sale Nov. 17–30 ($75). Santa letters ($2) are available at the R.H. Johnson Box Office through Nov. 6.
Sun City West · Published: Oct. 26, 2026
Save the date: Sun City West Foundation Volunteer Fair, Jan. 12
The Sun City West Foundation will hold a Volunteer Fair at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2027, at its building, 14465 R.H. Johnson Blvd. Local groups will share ways residents can help out.
Sun City · Published: October 2026; also in the Oct. 28 print edition
Sun City Players stage their final Mountain View show in November
The Sun City Players will put on the holiday comedy "Dashing Through the Snow" Nov. 13–15 and Nov. 19–22, their last mainstage show at the Mountain View Recreation Center before its two-year renovation into a new performing arts center. While it's under construction, the Players will perform in the Fairway Recreation Center music room.
Sun City · Published: September 2026
Mountain View Recreation Center closes Nov. 29 for renovation
RCSC announced that the long-awaited Mountain View Recreation Center renovation will start, with the center closing Nov. 29, 2026.
Westbrook Village · Published: October 2026 issue
Westbrook Village reports 183 home resales so far this year
The association's October magazine says 30 homes resold in July, bringing the year-to-date total to 183. Preservation fees were waived on 38 of those sales. The fees help fund the Replacement Reserve, which has $1,577,650 in budgeted spending for fiscal 2026. A Westbrook Posse crime and safety event is planned for November.
Sun City Festival · Published: Oct. 8, 2026
Last day to object to Pulte's water certificate for more Festival parcels is Oct. 30
Pulte Home Company has applied to ADWR for a Certificate of Assured Water Supply for Sun City Festival Planning Area 3 (DWR No. 27-701583.0000), using CAP water and effluent storage credits from the City of Buckeye. Phoenix AMA residents can file written objections through Friday, Oct. 30, 2026. A certificate is required before new lots can be sold.
West Valley (utilities) · Published: Sep. 3, 2026
EPCOR water rate case: intervene by Nov. 3
EPCOR's proposal would raise a typical 7,000-gallon Sun City bill from $30.99 to $40.80 in step one and $54.41 at the final consolidation step ($56.37 without consolidation). In Sun City West, it would go from $39.15 to $47.60 and then $54.41 ($65.97 without). The Corporation Commission hearing starts April 19, 2027, and the Commission may approve different rates.
Source: EPCOR Water Arizona notice
Community and builder updates (no publication date)
These sources don't show a publication date, so we list them by the date we checked them rather than as dated news.
Sun City Grand · Date: Community page with no publication date; checked Oct. 29, 2026
30th anniversary: fitness deals on the 30th and the Grand Gala Dec. 11
The Grand's 30th-anniversary year continues. On Oct. 30 and Nov. 30, same-day group fitness classes, guest passes and personal-training packages are 30% off at the Adobe and Cimarron Fitness Centers. The black-tie Grand Gala is Friday, Dec. 11, in the Kiva Ballroom ($195, residents only, two tickets per household).
Source: The Grand: 30 Years Strong
Sun City Grand · Date: Events calendar with no publication date; checked Oct. 29, 2026
Public events at The Grand: Market Nov. 7, Artisan Fusion Fall Fest Nov. 14, comedy night Nov. 19
The Grand's public calendar lists Market at Grand (Saturday, Nov. 7, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.), the Artisan Fusion Fall Fest (Saturday, Nov. 14, 9 a.m.–2 p.m., Sonoran Plaza and Village Center) and short comedies from the Cabaret Players (Thursday, Nov. 19, 7 p.m., Cimarron Center, $15). Visitors are welcome at all three.
Source: The Grand: Events Calendar
Trilogy at Vistancia · Date: Club page updated Oct. 28, 2026 (no article date)
Tennis Club: drop-in play returns Nov. 1; new-style Fall Social Nov. 12
The Trilogy at Vistancia Tennis Club says drop-in tennis returns Sunday, Nov. 1 (1–3 p.m.). The Fall Social on Thursday, Nov. 12 (3–5:30 p.m.) has a new format with a food truck and live band, and a Red Ball doubles tournament is set for Dec. 12. Membership is $25 a year.
Source: Trilogy at Vistancia Tennis Club
Corte Bella · Date: Club events page with no publication date; checked Oct. 29, 2026
Corte Bella Veterans plan Veterans Day events Nov. 9 and Nov. 11
The Corte Bella Veterans club lists a World of Friends talk by Gold Star father Grant Coffee on Monday, Nov. 9 (5–8 p.m., Bella Stanza Social Hall; RSVP required) and its Veterans Day Gala on Wednesday, Nov. 11 (4:30–9 p.m., Corte Bella Social Hall).
Source: Corte Bella Veterans
PebbleCreek · Date: Club pages with no publication date; checked Oct. 29, 2026
Art Club Fall Art Show Nov. 13; Kare Bears CPR class, caregiver group and blood drive in November
The PebbleCreek Art Club's Fall Art Show and Sale is Friday, Nov. 13, in the Tuscany Ballroom, with free timed tickets from 2 to 6 p.m. Kare Bears lists a CPR/AED class on Nov. 10, an Alzheimer's/dementia caregivers support group on Nov. 21 and a community blood drive on Nov. 24.
Source: PebbleCreek Kare Bears
Sun Village · Date: Community lifestyle page with no publication date; checked Oct. 29, 2026
Sun Village: Holiday Market Oct. 31, Bryan Adams tribute Nov. 7, "A Lennon Legacy" Nov. 18
Sun Village's lifestyle calendar lists a Holiday Market and Halloween Dance on Saturday, Oct. 31, "Summer of 69" (a Bryan Adams tribute) on Saturday, Nov. 7, and "A Lennon Legacy" on Wednesday, Nov. 18. A comedy show (Dec. 10) and an ABBA holiday show (Dec. 16) follow. Concerts are at the KBR, and most tickets are $30.
West Valley 55+ Real Estate News
Market and cost news for 55+ buyers and sellers in the West Valley. These are figures from the linked sources, not predictions. Ask Greg what they mean for a specific home or community.
West Valley real estate · Published: Oct. 22, 2026
Mortgage rates ease: 30-year fixed averages 7.32%
Freddie Mac's weekly survey put the average 30-year fixed rate at 7.32% as of Oct. 22, 2026, down from 7.40% the week before but still above 6.19% a year earlier. The 15-year fixed averaged 6.68%, down from 6.71%. Freddie Mac publishes a new reading every Thursday.
West Valley real estate · Published: Oct. 21, 2026
Greater Phoenix September sales: prices dip, pending sales fall, inventory rises
Phoenix REALTORS' September data shows the Greater Phoenix median single-family price at $475,000, down 2.1% from a year earlier. Pending sales fell 40.1%. Inventory rose 6.7% to about 4.3 months of supply, homes sold in a median of 77 days, and sellers received 98.1% of list price. In Surprise, the year-to-date median held steady at $430,990, and closed sales were up 10.1% for the year even though September closings fell 9.2%. Phoenix REALTORS' president noted that seller concessions can help buyers buy down a rate and help sellers compete with new construction.
West Valley real estate · Published: Oct. 28–29, 2026
Ownership costs to watch: Sun City's 2027 rec assessment and Sun City West's master plan
Recreation fees are part of the monthly cost of owning in the Sun Cities. On Oct. 29, RCSC's board approved the first reading of a 2027 budget that would raise Sun City's annual assessment from $680 to $740 and the Capital Improvement Fee buyers pay from $1,500 to $2,000; the final vote is still to come. In Sun City West, the new 10-year master plan lists optional projects from about $1 million to $23.5 million, and residents have asked how they could affect dues and buyers' capital fees. Neither is final, so ask for current fee figures when you're comparing homes.
West Valley real estate · Published: Sep. 3, 2026 notice
Water costs to watch: EPCOR's rate case for Sun City and Sun City West
If you're buying or selling in Sun City or Sun City West, EPCOR's pending rate request could change monthly water costs. The Corporation Commission hasn't decided yet. See the utilities item above for the proposed bill amounts and the Nov. 3 deadline to intervene.
Source: EPCOR Water Arizona notice
Builder prices, incentives and availability come from the builders' websites on the dates shown and can change without notice. Confirm with the builder before you rely on them.
Market updates
Sun City West market update: fall 2026
A Sun City West listing that went under contract in two days, plus sourced prices, days on market and inventory.
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